12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bear Creek Horse Camp offers primitive camping for equestrians near Casa, Arkansas in the Ozark National Forest. The horse camp features basic facilities with sites accommodating both tents and small to medium-sized RVs. Fire rings are provided at each site, and vault toilets serve the camping area. The campground permits pets, allowing campers to bring their dogs alongside their horses. Bear Creek provides direct trail access for riders, with open sites suitable for horse trailers and camping vehicles. Facilities are rustic with no electric hookups, water connections, or shower facilities available.
Sorghum Hollow Horse Camp in the Ozark National Forest provides another equestrian camping option approximately 18 miles northwest of Casa. The camp connects to forest service roads and trail systems suitable for day rides through diverse terrain. Both campgrounds require pack-in water for horses and humans, as drinking water is not available on site. Riders should come prepared with highlines or portable corrals as permanent horse containment facilities are not provided. The surrounding trail systems offer varied riding experiences through wooded hills, across streams, and along scenic forest routes. Campers should practice leave-no-trace principles and properly manage horse waste during their stay.
"Reservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by."
"A great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top."
"We stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck."
"Lake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean! Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat. "
from $15 - $25 / night
Check Availability"The picnic table had a few steps up to it. This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot."
"There is an unofficial overflow campground with a well kept pit toilet that offers the best view from the campgrounds over the Arkansas valley."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"I tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit."
"There are lots of trails, bike paths, water activities and BEAUTIFUL scenery. Very photogenic. Arkansas State Parks are always enjoyable. Staff was excellent and friendly."
"Great spot to pitch a tent by lake Conway. Isolated but not too far out."
"The lake has been partially drained to allow work to be done on stumps. The road back to it is well maintained and we had good cell reception with AT&T and Spectrum. The sunset was beautiful."
"There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs."
"short drives from the campgrounds to beautiful scenery with a little bit of research, or ask greg. alot are even accessible by car. take the 30 min drive to hillbillys lims bbq as well."
from $20 / night
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TravelerReservable sites are nearly on top of each other. Might be good if you have kids with you. There is a playground adjacent and a pool/bathhouse close by. We opted for the hike in site and it was perfect for us. Off-road and hiking were great! Views are breathtaking!!
LegendCoordinates: 34.78571,-93.15988. Visited in early May 2025. Located along Forest Road 772, about 1 mile north of Forest Road 11 in the Ouachita National Forest. Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road. FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit. The camp is on the western edge of the Deckard Mountain Walk-in Turkey Hunting Area. The camp serves as a small primitive camping area for equestrian riders on the network of interconnecting loop trails that comprise the Bear Creek Equestrain Trail system. These trails are also open to hikers. The trailhead is located at the rear of the camp. Free. Four sites (2 official national forest sites with metal fire rings plus 2 dispersed sites with rock fire rings), available on a first-come/first-based only. Hitching posts are available in the camp. A small creek runs along side the camp. The grounds of the camp do not appear to be maintained, but the sites were clean. There is a very clean vault toilet located at the rear of the camp; it was well supplied. Tent and hammock camping are possible. Sites are mnostly shaded making solar rechargiong and Starlink access a challenge. I received no T-Mobile cell service. The camp itself is not aesthetically pleasing, but it is located deep in a beautiful forest with easy access to a trail system. Note that, when I last checked, the Ouachita National Forest Web site no longer lists this site as a campground.
LegendWe stayed here for some backwoods hiking in the Ozarks and it was about 40 minutes from the various hikes we had planned. There are some trails nearby, but the area and trails are really designed for ATVs.
It doesn’t offer a lot in terms of comfort—there are full hookups but no real fire rings, no trees or shade and it’s HOT in early June. It’s an all gravel path so not great for any elderly walkers or those in need of ADA. The showers are ROUGH, but they exist. They have hot water, but there’s a literal nail to operate the handles. Toilets are okay. No laundry. It has stables for horses and seems to really be built for ATVers.
No ATT or Verizon service there or in the general area, had to download a map that was essentially a PDF to get around.
Nicest people in the world own it and work there. They have a shop and cafe on site that is open only on the weekends. The cafe is okay. It does have WiFi, but that does not extend to the camp/ RV sites. The real draw is the folks who work there, can’t state enough how wonderful and helpful they are.
Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive.
Very beautiful sites close by: falling water falls, big creek cave falls, glory hole falls, pedestal rocks and kings bluff trails, alum natural bridge—and so much more.
TravelerSmall open Campground with no specific sites (Tent Only Area). There is a small lot nearby to park then you must walk everything in. This can be anything from right next to your car to a few hundred feet away depending on where you want to set up. Picnic tables, fire rings and campground grills located throughout but again nothing is marketed as far as site numbers. The area allows for up to six camp permits per night. Could be good for smaller groups. It’s up away from the lake unlike the rest of the campgrounds in the park. There are restrooms nearby with flushing toilets and sinks. Also a playground is located close to the campsite. Overall it was clean but felt cramped among other campers and parking away from the tent made for multiple trips back and forth.
RangerA great Arkansas destination for outdoorsy people.The steep road climbing to the top of Mount Nebo keeps the big RVs away. Stop your car at the lookout point before you reach the top. When you arrive, walk into the Visitor's Center and right through the other door on the back to take in the view and step right onto a nice hiking trail. The campground has an open feel, so you might see cars going by on the main road, or strike up a conversation with your camping neighbors. It is nonetheless a nice place, particularly the sites that overlook the bluff. If you have kids, there are two sites that back up directly to a playground. For tent campers, the real draw is the hike-in campsites, which are easy to hike to on a flat, wide trail that circles the top of the mountain (similar in width to a fire road), or the various other well maintained hiking paths that parallel or criss-cross it. Wake up and check out the view at Sunrise Point, enjoy a day of hiking and other activities, then top it off with the view at Sunset Point.
GuideWe stayed at an RV site at Cameron Campground, #2. Nice shady spot with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. Was also a space for a tent. The picnic table had a few steps up to it.
This site is at the entrance, we might have preferred something at the back. Everyone coming in or out drove by our spot. But the neighbors were all very quiet.
The bathhouse had two showers, several toilets.
Several signs up say beware of bears, but we didn't see any.
We saw LOTS of deer.
Be prepared for a long winding road up the mountain. It's not overly steep, but it takes a while to get ANYWHERE in this part of Arkansas.
Went to Cove Lake (11 miles away, about a 20 minute drive) to fish, but didn't stay long, and didn't catch anything. Cove lake has camping but no hookups.
GuideWe stayed in site 54 (w/e/s) that was right on the lake. We could walk to the dock right behind the site to fish, although did not have very good luck. I’m betting the fishing is better if you have a boat. We did not use the restrooms/bathhouse. This site is smaller but fit our 22’ trailer perfectly. We had our ebikes with us and road around a little, but the campground is not ideally set up for using them like we did at Petit Jean. We did have some pretty tall weeds that we wished would have been taken care of before we arrived, but not a deal breaker for sure. We hiked several trails that were challenging and beautiful. Close proximity to Hot Springs so spent one day there. If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped it. Casino close by for those folks so inclined. Wish we would have brought our kayaks🤨
TravelerLake Catherine State Park, like all Arkansas state parks, is immaculately clean! Most RV sites have close access to the water and there are small stationary docks to park your boat.
A short trail leads you to a waterfall or take the longer trail for a fun hike through the woods. Swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking are all a part of the fun.
The cabins are rustic but well-appointed. All cabins have water views.
No matter the time of year, Lake Catherine State Park is a wonderful place to visit.
ScoutI am quite fond of the state parks in Arkansas and this was a clean, quiet, beautiful and safe location near Hot Springs. I was very happy that I could also bring my dog. When I reached my campsite my booking tag was already there and there was some firewood placed on the fire pit for me already. I was only a minute walk from restroom facilities. I also found it was very easy to book last minute after receiving a recommendation from a local barista.
Horse camping opportunities near Casa, Arkansas provide direct access to forest service trails throughout the Ozark National Forest. Located in an area with elevations ranging from 800 to 2,500 feet, these campgrounds experience mild springs and falls with summer temperatures typically reaching the upper 80s. Trail systems connect through diverse terrain with rocky outcroppings, stream crossings, and hardwood forests typical of the Interior Highlands region.
Trail riding excursions: Most riders at Mount Magazine State Park Campground explore the surrounding forest roads that connect to broader trail networks. "Magazine Mountain is the highest peak in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. Mount Magazine SP sits at the top of Magazine Mountain," notes reviewer Gary F., adding that the park offers "about 15 miles of hiking trails" that could be suitable for day rides in certain sections.
Fishing opportunities: Small lakes and ponds near equestrian campsites provide fishing breaks between trail rides. According to one camper at Erwin Estate High Point, "Our natural spring pond is a place to fish where it's an almost guaranteed catch as we have stocked it well!" The same reviewer mentions "Nearby river and lake fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking 3-15 miles away."
Wildlife viewing: The forest areas surrounding Casa's horse camps offer abundant wildlife observation opportunities. At Camp Robinson Dispersed Site, one visitor noted the natural soundscape: "The birds and frogs sang all evening." Another reviewer mentioned, "Peaceful and quiet," highlighting the undisturbed nature experience available near water features.
Natural water features: Streams and small waterfalls enhance the riding experience near Casa. At Woolly Hollow State Park, Amy W. enjoyed the lakeside setting: "I tent camped at Site #3, right beside the lake. Put my hammock up and watched the sun set and the fireflies start dancing. A few ducks played on the edge of the water and walked on shore for a bit." The park also features "a pour-off waterfall during the wet season when the lake is high."
Forest connectivity: The network of trails allows riders to connect multiple routes for customized day trips. Reviewer Fred S. noted that Bear Creek Horse Camp serves as "a small primitive camping area for equestrian riders on the network of interconnecting loop trails that comprise the Bear Creek Equestrain Trail system. These trails are also open to hikers."
Vault toilet maintenance: Despite the primitive nature of horse camps, toilet facilities receive regular attention. At Sorghum Hollow Horse Camp, riders appreciate the basic amenities, while Fred S. noted that Bear Creek Horse Camp has "a very clean vault toilet located at the rear of the camp; it was well supplied," indicating consistent maintenance even in remote locations.
Trail conditions: Forest service roads connecting to horse trails can have seasonal erosion issues. The reviewer at Bear Creek Horse Camp observed "Some minor erosion on FR772 where small creeks cross the road" but noted that "FR11 is in good condition at the time of this visit."
Water availability: No potable water exists at the horse camps, requiring riders to bring their own. At Macks Pines, which offers more amenities than the forest service horse camps, visitors still recommend preparation: "Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. One visitor to Macks Pines reported "No ATT or Verizon service there or in the general area, had to download a map that was essentially a PDF to get around." This contrasts with more elevated sites where reception improves.
Select camps with flat terrain: Look for sites with sufficient level ground for both camping and horse containment. Fred S. noted that at Bear Creek Horse Camp, "Tent and hammock camping are possible," though the sites themselves were "not aesthetically pleasing."
Consider alternative accommodations: For families wanting more amenities between trail days, Camp Conway RV Park offers more developed facilities relatively close by. One visitor described it as "quiet with excellent bird-watching. Must have seen 12 bird varieties thriving in the park. Convenient to Conway and even Little Rock."
Pack all necessary supplies: The remote nature of horse camps requires comprehensive packing. According to Amy & Stu B. at Macks Pines, travelers should prepare for limited services: "Dry county with very few places to buy any food or groceries outside of an hour drive."
Road grade considerations: Access to some camping areas requires navigating steep grades. As Gary F. observed at Mount Magazine State Park, "Magazine Mountain is the highest peak in Arkansas at 2,753 feet," with challenging access roads to certain areas.
Site selection for trailers: When traveling with horses and RVs, prioritize camps with adequate space. Fred S. noted that Bear Creek Horse Camp has "Four sites (2 official national forest sites with metal fire rings plus 2 dispersed sites with rock fire rings), available on a first-come/first-based only."
Power options: Limited electrical services exist at horse camps, requiring self-sufficiency. The Bear Creek Horse Camp reviewer mentioned "The camp itself is not aesthetically pleasing, but it is located deep in a beautiful forest with easy access to a trail system," emphasizing the tradeoff between amenities and trail access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Casa, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Casa, AR is Mount Nebo State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Casa, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Casa, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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